So I have this Snakeskin....

[ABaker]

I accidentally ran over a 3 foot Mojave Rattler here in Arizona the other day. I cut off it's head, and put it in a box. As soon as I got home I put it in the freezer. Good looking snake. It sat in the freezer about a week. I took it out of the freezer and let it thaw out. As soon at it thawed I cut it right up the belly and pulled it's skin off. So now I have this snakeskin..... Kind of bloody, and slimy. So what do I do now? I think I jumped into this too soon...... Anyone ever try this?

[grizzy57]

ABaker.
 Use thumbtacks and put it on a board scrape all the Slime and blood off the
Skin Be careful not to cut the Skin!!!Then get some Boraxo and rub it into
the Skin let set for a few days scrape the Boraxo off again being careful.
apply more Boraxo let set repeate the scraping process Let dry.Then rub it good with Neatsfoot Oil It will stay nice and soft for years./I have 4 of them
I did years ago Hope this helps.
                                                grizzy57 :lol:

[ibbuckshot]

The next time I locate a rattler I would like to make a hat band out of it. What I want to do is maintain the snake body including the head so that the head and tail will lay on the front of the western style hat with the body wound around the rest of the hat. Would the head have to be treated differently?? What can be done to keep the head from going bad???
 Have fun,
 ibbuckshot  

[NONYA]

You would have to use a form with fake eyes for the head,you have to remove the skull ect or it will rot.

[ibbuckshot]

OH, OK, I thought maybe the indians would pickle it or something??? I guess I would have to take it to an critter stuffer and have him work on the head. I can't help but think my hat band idea would have the peta people flip out ! ! !  Is there any way to get directions to do it your self or would that just botch up the works. I don't mind trying something new but when its all said and done I want it to look pretty. Thanks.
 Have fun,
ibbuckshot